By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, March 12, 2017
Rafael Nadal converted five of six break points pounding out a 6-3, 6-2 triumph over 145th-ranked Guido Pella to reach the BNP Paribas Open third round.
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
On a scorching day, Rafael Nadal scalded his forehand rampaging through his Indian Wells opener.
In a clash of left-handers, Nadal converted five of six break points pounding out a 6-3, 6-2 triumph over 145th-ranked Guido Pella to reach the BNP Paribas Open third round for the 13th time.
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"(It) was a solid match, no? Was a match of the first round that I didn't try to do amazing things," Nadal said. "I tried to play solid. I tried to find the rhythm, and I think I did.
"For moments I played well; for moments I played a little bit less well. Important thing, I won, and I won in straight sets. I had some good feelings for a lot of moments. In general terms, I think I played a solid match."
Amid sticky conditions, Nadal was down a break in the first set and dropped serve to start the second set.
The fifth-seeded Spaniard settled in and struck his forehand with more authority as the match progressed compelling Pella to defend.
The 26-year-old Pella carved out two break points in the third game, but Nadal saved both.
Bolting a backhand down the line the Argentine earned a third break point. Sweeping forward Pella spun a forehand that handcuffed Nadal at net breaking for 2-1.
A diagonal forehand from Nadal gave him double break point, then Pella gave him a gift. At net for a routine high forehand, Pella shanked it right back to the Spaniard who whipped a forehand pass breaking back for 2-all.
As on-court temperatures intensified to 93 degrees Fahrenheit, Nadal smoked a crosscourt forehand to consolidate.
Fresh off his run to the Acapulco final where he fell to Sam Querrey, Nadal began gaining his range midway through the set. A rattled Pella threw in an abysmal game flagging a forehand into net to drop serve and love.
Driving his forehand deep, Nadal began commanding the center of the court forcing his opponent to dig out replies from the corners. Pella popped an ace then drove a backhand down the line that caught the outer edge of the line holding for 3-5.
Slashing his second ace out wide, Nadal seized a one-set lead after 41 minutes.
The pair traded breaks to start the second set as Nadal nudged a routine backhand volley into net and give back the break. Pella thumped an ace down the middle capping a love hold for 2-1.
The accumulation of Nadal’s baseline barrage created another crack in the fifth game as Pella flagged a forehand then hooked a forehand wide giving the Australian Open finalist the break and a 3-2 lead.
Churning back from triple break point down, Nadal reeled off five consecutive points working through a sweaty hold.
Throughout the match, Nadal played some of his most dynamic points while down break points. He denied six of eight break points.
"I tried to serve, to increase a little bit the speed of the serve when the match was coming," Nadal said. "In the beginning, I tried to serve a little bit more safe.
"Generally, I'm happy with the way I'm serving this year. I will be more happy today if I had some more free points that I need to take few more. Was not enough today, free points with my serve, and that's it."
Breaking again in the seventh game, Nadal crunched a forehand to serve out an 81-minute victory.
Continuing his quest for his first hard-court title since the 2014 Doha, the three-time tournament champion could play Dubai finalist Fernando Verdasco, who upset Nadal at the 2015 Australian Open, for a fourth-round spot.
Nadal has played 30 tournament since winning his last hard-court title, including contesting the Australian Open and Acapulco finals this season. Nadal said he's satisfied with his level of play this season.
"During the four events that I played, I played at very high level," Nadal said. "Very happy the way I started the season. Now here is another opportunity. I know I have a very tough draw, and let's see. I don't know. Verdasco or Herbert? Let's see. Gonna be tough one."
No. 4-seeded Kei Nishikori defeated Daniel Evans, 6-3, 6-4.
"Well, it was, you know, tough match. Obviously he's been playing well," Nishikori said. "I know he can play great tennis, and when he was playing aggressively he was pretty tough to play.
"But I think I managed really well from the first point until the end. And my serve was making it in on the first serve, and I'm happy with my service game also. So I think it was good start."
Alexander Zverev did not face a break point warding off Facundo Bagnis, 7-6 (10), 6-3. The 18th-seeded German will face 15th-seeded Nick Kyrgios next. Kyrgios swept Horacio Zeballos, 6-3, 6-4.